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NEW STARTING DEVICE • Jarvis Gate Installed at the Lexington Track. • To Be Given Public Trial on Saturday, Opening Day of the Spring Meeting. » LEXIXGTOX, Ky., April 19.— Interest at the Kentucky Association course today was centered in the starting machine, invented and patented by "Tex" Jarvis, a starter on western tracks for a score of years. The machine arrived yesterday from Texas and was brought to the track this morning, when Jarvis and several assistants put it in order for schooling purposes in the afternoon. A number of horses where schooled in the machine, which will be given its first public test in the third race here Saturday. It is a mile and a sixteenth dash for three-year-olds and over of the cheaper variety and. as the start will be made in front of the grandstand, it will be in clear view of the large opening day crowd. In addition to officials of the Kentucky Association. Col. Matt Winn, president of the American Turf Association, and other officers of that body, will be present to watch the trial, with a view of ordering its use on the major tracks under its control if the test proves successful. Decision as to its use may be reserved by Colonel Winn and conferees until the gate is further tested. If the first trial is successful, others will be held throughout the meeting. Sewell S. Combs and Thomas S. Scott, president and general manager of the association, are anxious that the machine be given a thorough trial, and in this respect they are receiving almost thorough co-operation from horsemen. TRAINEES DIVIDED. Trainers at the present time seem divided as to the practicability of the machine, although there may be a majority in favor of its use. Many horsemen are schooling charges in the machine with the intention of entering them in the trial race Saturday. During its erection this morning and schooling operations later, a large crowd was on hand to inspect the Jarvis gate and its operation. It is constructed of steel tubing and overhead is a bridge span arrangement, from which extend the stall sides. It is heavily padded and claimed to be injury-proof by its inventor. Horses enter from the rear through gates which are clamped in place belore the start. Each stall has an individual webbing, which disappears at the start. The machins is comparatively light and mounted on airplane wheels, and can be easily moved about. Extensive repair work and painting, started a month ago, have been completed by a large crew of men and the Lexington plant it spic and span for the opening. The grandstand, now in its fortieth year, is just as stable and clean as ever. The track was fast again today, although light showers fell during the night. This circumstance called for a great number of workouts and the dockers were ousy keeping track of the speeding thoroughbreds. DEHBY WORKOl IS. Several of the Kentucky Derby candidates quartered here were .set down for speed. Hiram, in the stable of J. X. Camden, gave evidence of his quality by a splendid three-quarters in 1 :14%. The Craigangower — Lady Rotha colt was accompanied the first quarter by the two-year-old Lindy. They went the distance in :Ti-iz - Hiram ran three-eighths in :3." and the half-mile in :iSVr , being tabbed for five-eighths in 1 :01. Lindy was pulled ap on the half-mile mark in :49%. Hiram probably «fL be started in the Camden Handicap Saturday, for which he stands a fine chance. He has trained nobly for Danny Stewart and has improved in his condition so consistently that many fans here hold him in high opinion. Col. Bob accompli bed the only mile workout among the Derby eligibles. He was accompanied by the veteran Georgie and tinned the course in 1:44 in handy fashion, lb- ran off and left Georgie in the final quarter, the latter being clocked in 1 :45y5. Trainer J. H. Baker did not ask Col. Bob for much and the workout was more of a conditioning affair than an exhibition of the horses speed. The pair negotiated the quarter in :24"i, half in :49 and three-quarters in 1 :17. Martie Flynn was sent three-eighths in :39% in preparation for a long workout tomorrow. Scipio was sent a half in :49%. Reveries Gal, an Oaks and Derby candidate, dashed three-quarters in 1 :16, just breezing, after going the quarter In :24 and half in :5». The Begum II. and Rejoice, other Oaks fillies, worked at a mile, the former going in 1:44 and the latter in 1 :47%. Neither was extended. Minii breeaed three-quarters in 1 :16a5 and Elizabeth went over the same distance in 1 31%. Frank Taylor, trainer of the Coldstream Farm Stable, turned in his list of horses to racing secretary W. H. Shelley. Every member of Ins stable is included and trainer Taylor may start all of his horses during the meeting. Several stalls in the Camden barn have been assigned to him to be used when horses are brought in from the farm. The Coldstream horses have been trained over the farms new mile track, which is said to be one of the best in the country. Jockey W. Pool is an arrival. He is attached to the stable of E. E. Mooar. Tommy Root is expected from Maryland to ride during the meeting. If he arrives in time he probably will have the mount on Marconi in the Camden Handicap.
